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Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach is set to talk about a potential return with the team's owners.

The decision-makers at Rangers announced that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is currently underway.

Other candidates will be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?

The 45-year-old manager has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has started contacting prospective members for his coaching team.

In a latest audio discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed prior to Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won only a single trophy – however it was a big one.

Following placements of 13 and nine points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

And he did it in style, with his team unbeaten in the process.

Rangers won all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.

The downside was that it came amid of the pandemic and empty stadiums.

It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.

In his first season the Old Firm results were even, each side earning two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, winning five additional and tying once.

Rangers progressed through four rounds of qualifying to reach the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the following season.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their city rivals would claw that back to win by the identical gap.

The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been seen as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is clearly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have had a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down performances resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 defeat at Fulham left them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He moved to the Middle East in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His latest job continued for 18 months and he departed with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the drop zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”

These after Rangers exploits may give some pause for thought and the man himself might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to handle such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Ibrox board.